ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1721

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 20, 1996

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1721.

      Currently, compensation for jurors is $5 per day, paid for by State funds. Under this bill, any county board of chosen freeholders would be authorized to pay jurors in the county an additional amount from county funds, up to a maximum additional amount of $45. Payment of any additional amount would be at the option of the county freeholders. Jurors in the counties which decide to pay the maximum would then be compensated a total of $50 per day of service.

      Procedurally, the State would administer the payment of the additional compensation on behalf of any county that chooses it; the county would then reimburse the State for these added expenditures.